THERE is an adage that says good things come to those who wait and on Sunday afternoon at the Sportsground, Adam Ryan was proof of that.
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The St Pat’s Old Boys captain was celebrating the first time his side had posted a two-day victory over Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade rivals Bathurst City.
That he was doing it after a 17-run preliminary final win made it even better.
It gives the Saints their first shot at top grade grand final glory in 22 years when they take on Rugby Union next weekend.
“I couldn’t be happier or prouder of the boys,” Ryan said.
“I played back when the club was with All Saints’, then it went to Old Boys and then St Pat’s Old Boys and I’d never beaten them once in all that time.
“It’s been almost a decade. I suppose if you’re going to beat them, it was a good week to beat them.”
Before Sunday afternoon’s celebrations the Saints had been in trouble, reduced to 5-25 after batting first on Saturday.
But Ryan (96) and Brendan Cutmore (49) rallied and helped the Saints to a 218-run total.
In the end that proved enough as Matt Fearnley’s 5-46 helped have the two-time defending premiers all out for 201.
Greg Adams impressed in defeat for Redbacks with a fighting 107 while Joey Coughlan made 49 earlier in the innings. Ben Orme took 5-72 to be the pick of their bowlers.
